English/Ire
Patrick Mullins dreaming of back-to-back Grand National success
Patrick Mullins revealed that he would relish the chance to ride Nick Rockett twelve months on from their memorable Grand National success should the opportunity come about.
Mullins, son and assistant trainer to his father Willie, provided the Closutton-based maestro with a third success and gained a first of his own when steering Nick Rockett to victory twelve months ago.
Nick Rockett, who has not been seen his heroics last season, has been allotted 11st 11lb this time around and despite an interrupted preparation, Patrick Mullins remains keen to take the ride.
Speaking at the unveiling of the weights, he said: "It's rare that the reality is better than the dream, but that's what it was. Since I've been a kid reading books about it and watching black and white videos of the National, it's always been my dream, and it was better than I could have dreamt of. It doesn't get any better than that, unless you can win it a second time maybe!
"We have no complaints with his weight. We haven't had a clear run with him, and he had an over-reach before the John Durkan. He then had a setback just before Christmas, so we're behind where we want to be.
"He's back riding and we're hoping to get a run into him before Aintree, so we're hoping to find a race for him somewhere. We've no plan for him yet, but we should get him there, all being well
"Without a doubt I'd love to ride Nick Rockett again. We've got a good team of jockeys, and I don't think there will be any shortage of volunteers to ride our horses!"
Nick Rockett came home one spot in front of 2024 hero and stablemate I Am Maximus last season and whilst he'll have to shoulder topweight of 11st 12lb once more, Mullins believes it would be foolish to rule him out.
He said: "He ran a blinder last year off top weight, but he missed his third run that year and maybe that told in the final furlong or so.
"It looks this year like we may be able to get a third run into him, which I think will be a big help, and I think the key thing for him may be slower ground. I think the year he won it was a good bit slower than last year, so that seems to help him jump.
"He's not the most fantastic jumper, so the fences seem to bring something out of him. He's a bit like Tiger Roll in that he seems to enjoy the fences."
Of last year's third Grangeclare West, who ensured the Closutton team saddled gold, silver and bronze, Mullins added: "It was funny because he looked beaten before the last and then he made that mistake and then ran on really well at the end.
"Perhaps I Am Maximus was tying up and Nick Rockett was idling, but I think he has to have a shout. He's well able to carry the weight and he has to have another huge chance of going two better."
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